McNabb to debut for Tyrone

Ronan McNabb has shrugged off a hamstring injury to be included in the Tyrone team for Sunday's Ulster SFC quarter-final against Armagh.

McNabb will make his Championship debut at right half-forward as the Red Hands look to beat their great rivals at the Athletic Grounds (throw-in 4pm).

There is no place for three-time All-Ireland winner Brian McGuigan who recently came out of retirement to ease Tyrone's injury crisis.

Key forwards Sean Cavanagh, Kyle Coney and Ronan O'Neill are all sidelined, but Mickey Harte's selected attack still boasts captain Stephen O'Neill, Owen Mulligan and Martin Penrose.

The McMahon brothers, Justin and Joe, return to fill the pivotal positions of full-back and midfield, with Peter Harte, who played in defence during the league, joining McNabb and Mark Donnelly in the half-forwards.

Dromore duo Cathal McCarron and Sean O'Neill flank the experienced Conor Gormley in the half-back line, while the corner back berths have gone to Aidan McCrory and Dermot Carlin with Ryan McMenamin missing out.

Previewing the provincial opener, Gormley told the Irish News: "We have had some great battles with Armagh down through the years, especially at Croke Park.

"It's a game you look forward to. That's what you do the hard training for. That's why you train over the winter, to play in Championship and to play in games like this against your near neighbours Armagh.

"It's going to be a great occasion, and a hurdle that hopefully we'll get over."

TYRONE (SFC v Armagh): Pascal McConell; Aidan McCrory, Justin McMahon, Dermot Carlin; Cathal McCarron, Conor Gormley, Sean O'Neill; Joe McMahon, Colm Cavanagh; Ronan McNabb, Mark Donnelly, Peter Harte; Martin Penrose, Stephen O'Neill (capt), Owen Mulligan.